Dan Walters

An older lawmaker sits at a wooden desk inside a legislative chamber, wearing a suit and patterned tie, looking to the side as other lawmakers work in the background.

Commentary

California budget volatility continues to complicate efforts to close its deficits

California's budgets have been susceptible to the ways wealthy taxpayers derive their income, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.

By

Dan Walters

• January 28, 2026

A person wearing a red blazer stands while facing a room full of people sitting at their desks. The room is decorated with beige columns and red curtains.

Commentary

Cracks between Newsom and frustrated lawmakers show in first budget hearings

Newsom has steadily opposed major tax increases, but an ongoing, multiyear deficit and growing frustration among legislators has created a gulf between the governor and his allies on how to fix the problem.

By

Dan Walters

• January 27, 2026

Students sit on desks in a classroom as a door on the far left side of the room is partially open.

Commentary

Newsom wants to overhaul state oversight of California schools. Will students benefit?

Gov. Gavin Newsom dropped a brief and vaguely worded section into his State of the State address earlier this month, suggesting an overhaul of how California’s vast public education system is managed. “It’s long overdue that we modernize the management of our educational system,” Newsom said, “and so in the budget I’ll be submitting tomorrow, […]

By

Dan Walters

• January 23, 2026

A group of five people, dressed in professional attire, sit on chairs on a stage in front of a crowd, with a banner behind them reading “Governor Candidate Forum.” Four of the five people sitting on stage have their hands up to answer the question while a crowd of people watches in the dark.

Commentary

Did California’s existential issues scare off potential candidates for governor?

Californians may never know for sure, but the half-dozen existential issues imperiling the state, from high living costs to water supply, may have scared off some candidates for governor.

By

Dan Walters

• January 22, 2026

Protesters hold signs during a labor demonstration in front of two large inflatable figures, one resembling a worker in a cap and the other a suited animal character, set against trees on a campus-like lawn.

Commentary

Would California voters actually support a wealth tax on billionaires?

Should taxing real estate be supplemented by tapping other assets of the state’s billionaires? California voters may decide this year if a wealth tax initiative qualifies for the ballot.

By

Dan Walters

• January 21, 2026

A close-up of a student holding an open book at a classroom desk, with other students reading in the background. Some students wear face masks, and the classroom walls are decorated in bright colors. Books and school supplies are scattered across the desks.

Commentary

California politicians wrongly fixate on education spending instead of results

Gavin Newsom’s boast about per-pupil spending in a recent speech exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.

By

Dan Walters

• January 16, 2026

The back of a person as they walk next to a row of tents lined up along a sidewalk underneath a freeway overpass.

Commentary

Homelessness crisis remains one of Newsom’s biggest political liabilities

Newsom recently boasted about a 9% drop in homelessness, yet there are still plenty of encampments critics could feature in attack ads should he run for president in two years.

By

Dan Walters

• January 15, 2026

Two people in suits shake hands and smile in an ornate legislative chamber as others around them applaud, with tall columns, draped curtains, and a wall clock visible in the background.

Commentary

How Newsom’s presidential ambitions complicate his last budget as California governor

As both governor and a likely presidential candidate, Gavin Newsom's final state budget faces a political trap of his own making.

By

Dan Walters

• January 14, 2026

A state official speaks at a podium during a budget presentation, flanked by U.S. and California flags, as a screen beside them lists key features including a balanced budget, continued progress, and long-term fiscal resilience.

Commentary

Newsom’s budget shows big revenue gain, but we’ve been down that path before

The Newsom administration once overstated income by $165 billion over four years. Now Newsom has announced $42 billion in new revenues over three years.

By

Dan Walters

• January 9, 2026

California Gov. Gavin Newsom stands at a podium in the state Capitol, wearing a dark suit and tie, clapping while addressing the chamber, partially obscured by blurred figures in the foreground.

Commentary

Newsom touts his successes, swipes at Trump in final State of the State speech

Newsom denounced Trump's cutbacks in federal child care funds and his refusal to send relief funds after the wildfires in Los Angeles County.

By

Dan Walters

• January 8, 2026